fbpx Skip to content
Home / Blog / What Can Go Wrong with Cattle Yard Rubber Matting?

What Can Go Wrong with Cattle Yard Rubber Matting?

Play Video

Rubber matting has become increasingly popular in cattle yards, thanks to its durability, ease of cleaning, and the grip and safety it provides to animals and people. However, as with any product, there can be concerns or issues. This blog post will explore some potential pitfalls of rubber matting in cattle yards based on our own insights from installing rubber matting in cattle yards over the past 30 years.

1. Installing rubber mats that are hard to clean.

A common question is, aren’t rubber mats hard to clean? The answer depends on the type of mat in use. For instance, YoungStar mats are nonporous and designed for easy cleaning. Whether you’re hosing them down, using a blower, or even just sweeping, the process is straightforward—often simpler than cleaning concrete. However, water scarcity can be a challenge in certain areas, so it’s reassuring that these mats can be efficiently cleaned without it.

On the other hand, specific mats like those made from woven car tyres can be problematic. Dirt often gets trapped between the strips of rubber, making the cleaning process cumbersome. Plus, the woven design can present a tripping hazard for both animals and people.

YoungStar rubber mats are easier to clean than concrete and woven tyre mats.

2. Installing rubber mats that don’t last very long.

Quality can vary significantly between brands and types of mats. Some have been reported to disintegrate in mere months in high-traffic areas like those in busy feedlots or sale yards. Conversely, YoungStar mats are known for their exceptional durability. Having been exposed to a myriad of conditions—be it droughts, storms, floods, extreme temperatures, or the continuous trampling of hooves—they’ve been tested for over four years in demanding environments and have proven resilient.

3. Installing rubber mats that don’t stop slipping.

A well-designed rubber mat should offer ample grip to prevent animals from slipping. Some rubber materials can become slippery, especially when wet, posing a risk to livestock. However, products like YoungStar are specifically designed with a square lug grip pattern, effectively preventing cattle from losing their footing. Woven tyre mats also provide adequate grip but are hard to install and clean. For these reasons, we don’t recommend them.

4. Ordering rubber mats that are difficult to install.

Rubber matting offers numerous benefits for cattle yards, but it’s imperative to select the right product. When evaluating factors such as heat absorption, ease of cleaning, durability, grip design, and even installation ease, the YoungStar mat stands out. The YoungStar mat not only confronts these challenges head-on but obliterates them, making it a superior choice for those prioritizing the safety, comfort, and well-being of their livestock.

Woven tyre mats are difficult to install and maintain.

Conclusion

Rubber matting offers numerous benefits for cattle yards, but it’s imperative to select the right product. When evaluating factors such as ease of cleaning, durability, grip design, and even installation ease, the YoungStar mat stands out. The YoungStar mat not only confronts these challenges head-on but obliterates them, making it a superior choice for those prioritizing the safety, comfort, and well-being of their livestock.